Velocipede



(No Model.)

H. RAGINE.

VELOOIPEDE.

' Patented Dec. 23,1884.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY RAOINE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,740, dated December 23, 1884.

Application filed July 16, 1884. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom it mayv concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY RAOINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification, to wit:

This invention relates to an improvement in velocipedes; and it consists in certain peculiar'ities of construction and operation of the same, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

- In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a top plan View; and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail Views of parts of the device.

A represents the main frame of my velocipede, which is suspended at its forward end from a fork, a, in which is hung the steeringwheel A. The head a. of this fork a is provided with a small stationary cap, a having upon each side a groove, a inclined toward its forward end. In this grooved cap slides a small frame, B, to the rear side of which is attached the handle or steering-bar B, and the forward end of which is provided with a downwardly-projecting arm, B having its lower end forked and clasping the brake-arm O, to which it is attached byapin or pivot, I), passing through an inclined slot, 0, in the arm. This latter is pivoted to the head of the machine, and has upon its forward end a shoe, c,adapted to bear upon the wheel when pressed down, as will be presently explained.

In suitable bearings beneath the rear end of the main frame A is journaled the rear axle, D, carrying upon each end a driving-wheel, D, and at its center a fixed sprocket or chain wheel, D which latter is connected by a belt or chain, d, with a similar wheel, d, upon the shaft D also journaled beneath the frame, and having upon each end a crank, d and footpedal (1 as shown. This means of driving the velocipede is not invariable, and in some cases I may connect the crank-shaft and rear axle by pitmen or other well-known means of transmitting the power from one to the other.

.hind them, as shown.

Upon each end of the axle D, just at the inner end of the spindle, is a disk or collar, G, formed with a series of recesses, g, in which is pivoted a series of short arms, G, ata tangent with the disk, and having springs g be- Upon the outer ends of these arms are carried the parts of a segmental ring, G This disk is inclosed in a cap, upon the inner end of the wheel-hub, and it is evident that in one direction the arms will be pressed back and allow the wheels to move freely independent of the axle, while in the other the springs throw the arms and their segments out against the cap and hold the axle and wheel firmlyclutched together.

In operation the velocipede is driven inthe well-known Way by the feet, and in turning one wheel is allowed to run free to compensate for the increased distance the outer wheel must travel, while the Wheels are both clutched and driven firmly in running forward.

The device is steered in the usual way by the handles, which are then drawn back, and when going down a grade they are pushed forward. This slides their frame B forward in the inclined grooves, and its arm B and pin 11 sliding forward upon the slotted brake-arm forces the shoe down upon the wheel and ap plies a brake to check the momentum of the machine.

The seat H of the machineis arranged to be moved back and forward to and from the crankshaft, and by this means the machine may be made to suit persons of different height.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a velocipede, the combination, with the driving-wheels having a hollow cap upon their hubs, of a driving-axle provided with disks within these caps, and a series of springactuated, arms arranged at a tangent, and having their ends connected to the sections of a segmental ring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The wheels D, having a hollow cap, 9 upon the inner ends of their hubs, in combination with the axle D, having the disks G, formed with recesses g, the tangent-arms G, pivoted in said recesses and provided with springs g, and the segmental ring G upon the ends of said arms, substantially as and for the arm 0, pivoted to the head, and having an inpurpose set forth. clined slot, 0, in combination with the small 3. In a velocipede, a steering-head having frame B, handle B, and arm B", connected to longitudinal grooves in its sides, and a brakethe slotted brake by a pin, b, substantially as I 5 5 arm pivoted upon the head and formed with and for the purpose set forth.

an incline, in 'combination with a steering- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in handle sliding in the grooved head,an(1 having presence of two witnesses. an arm bearing upon the incline of the brakelever, substantially as shown and described.

:0 4. The head a and cap a", formed with inclined grooves a in its sides, and the brake l HENRY RACINE. WVitnesses:

V. O. MOARTHUR, CHAS. KREssMANN. 

